Who is the New Orleans attacker who killed 15 US citizens

Fifteen people have been killed and over 35 others received injuries after a man apparently inspired by the Islamic State (IS) group drove into large crowds in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas who once served in Afghanistan.

Outgoing US President Joe Biden said that the FBI reported to him that Jabbar had posted videos on social media indicating that he was inspired by Islamic State, according to Reuters.

BBC reported that at 03:15 local time on New Year’s Day, a Ford pick-up truck rammed into crowds gathered on Bourbon Street in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter.

CCTV footage shows a white, Ford F-150 Lightning vehicle driving around a police car before hitting pedestrians.

What do we know about Jabbar?

The US officially announced that Jabbar, the 42-year-old Texas man accused of driving a pickup truck into a crowd at a New Year’s Eve party in New Orleans, served 13 years in the US Army and among other things, he was sent to Afghanistan.

He was killed in an armed conflict with the police after running over people who were celebrating the beginning of the new year.

Federal authorities and New Orleans police say Jabar did not act alone. They are now looking for his accomplices. The FBI said Jabbar had an IS flag on his car. The FBI is investigating the attack as a possible act of terrorism.

While the investigation is ongoing, no information has yet been released to explain why Jabbar, an American citizen who grew up in Texas and served in the military, carried out the attack.

According to Reuters, Jabbar served as a human resources specialist and information technology specialist in the army from 2007 to 2015.

The suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas

He then joined the Army Reserve as an IT specialist and continued to serve in the Army until 2020. At the end of his service, he had the rank of sergeant. Jabbar also served in Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010.

A US Navy official also told Reuters that Jabbar enlisted in the Navy under a delayed entry program in August 2004 before serving in the military, but was discharged a month later.

Jabbar’s work records show that he has been working in odd jobs in recent years. In a promotional video for a real estate business posted on YouTube in 2020, a man of the same name said his time in the military taught him the importance of providing excellent service and taking everything seriously.

“I’ve learned these skills and applied them to my career as a realtor, and I feel like what really sets me apart from other realtors is my ability to be a tough negotiator,” said the man with the same name (Jabbar) in that video.

FBI starts investigation after IS flag found in Jabbar’s rented Ford Pickup truck

In the video, the man introduces himself as the manager of Blue Meadow Properties LLC and asks people to contact him. The Texas-based company’s license was revoked in 2022. Jabbar’s background check also shows that he was a real estate consultant for four years until February 2023.

The FBI believes that Jabbar rented a Ford pickup truck. After running over a large number of people who were celebrating, he opened fire on the police.

The presence of the IS flag on the truck has led to the start of an investigation into Jabbar’s possible connection with terrorist organizations. Police also found weapons and potential explosives in the French Quarter, where Jabbar drove into people.

“We don’t believe Jabar acted alone,” FBI Special Assistant Althea Duncan said. “We are following every lead.” Court records show that Jabbar divorced his wife in 2022 after five years of marriage. The couple had one child.

According to the Reuters report, Jabar does not appear to have had a violent criminal record prior to this attack. According to Texas records, Jabbar was convicted of theft in 2002 and arrested in 2005 for driving with an invalid license. The York Times quoted Jabbar’s brother as saying that he converted to Islam at a young age.